“embarrassed”

Overcome with self-consciousness or shame, often shown through visible discomfort.

“She stood abashed at the podium after completely forgetting her opening line.”

Best for: Works well in literary or formal writing when you want a slightly old-fashioned, dignified tone.

Deeply humiliated to the point of wishing one could disappear entirely.

“He was mortified when his mother pulled out the baby photos at the dinner party.”

Best for: Punchy and expressive, perfect for conveying extreme social embarrassment in casual or narrative writing.

Feeling distressed or humiliated by failure, disappointment, or wounded pride.

“She was visibly chagrined to discover her report had cited entirely the wrong statistics.”

Best for: Slightly formal; suits professional or journalistic contexts where embarrassment carries a note of regret.

Made uneasy or flustered, thrown into a state of awkward self-doubt.

“The unexpected question left the senator discomfited in front of the entire press corps.”

Best for: Literary and measured; ideal when embarrassment is tinged with confusion or being caught off-guard.

Dejected and embarrassed, with confidence visibly deflated by a humbling experience.

“He returned to his seat crestfallen after the teacher corrected him in front of the class.”

Best for: Evocative and image-rich; best in storytelling where body language and emotional defeat matter.

Feeling a sense of shame or modesty arising from exposure or impropriety.

“Her pudent silence after the slip of the tongue said more than any apology could have.”

Best for: Genuinely rare and Latinate; reserved for highly literary or archaic registers seeking precise tonal color.